At Darkroom Streaming, They’re All About Crusher Joe! (and the classics)

Last week, Darkroom added Crusher Joe to their streaming collection, and if you don’t know who this character is, we have an introduction! He’s more than your “average” Joe, and we explain why. Also other classic titles have been added.

Darkroom StreamingFor those who don’t know about Darkroom, perhaps now is the time to subscribe. Not only is this streaming platform affordable, it also specializes in showcasing independent, foreign, arthouse, and cult classic films; at just $2.99 USD per month, why not? Even a quick browse shows they’re no stranger to giving film festival curiosities like Heavy Trip (film review) a home. There’s even Icarus to be found, assuming you have a premium membership to tap into this particular film vault.

For anime fans, what’s especially notable is the platform’s recently added lineup, which includes Crusher Joe. For those unfamiliar with this classic series, it follows a group of licensed troubleshooters known as Crushers, specialists who tackle everything from rescue missions and planetary colonization support to dangerous assignments that ordinary authorities can’t handle. The Crusher Council oversees their activities, and the original novels delve into far more drama than the animated adaptations that followed. Written by Haruka Takachiho beginning in the late 1970s and published through Sonorama Bunko, the series feels less like Star Wars and more like giving Han Solo his own spin-off series, only with a stronger emphasis on teamwork and adventure.

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Crusher Joe Film and OVAs to see Blu-ray Release in Japan

crusherjoeBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

VAP Video has confirmed Studio Nue’s 1983 animated feature Crusher Joe and it’s two subsequent OVAs will see release in Japan this year in two exclusive Blu-ray box sets. The original film directed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko follows a crew of space odd-jobbers nicknamed “Crushers”. The team is led by Crusher Dan and his successor Crusher Joe. The film was based on the science fiction light novels by Haruka Takachiho, a founder of Studio Nue.

Crusher Joe will be remastered in 4K while the OVAs Crusher Joe: The Ice Prison (1989) and Crusher Joe: The Ultimate Weapon: Ash (1989) will be remastered in 2K

The Blu-Ray box sets will be released in a Limited Edition version and a Normal version. Here are the extras for each:

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